Silyl-Directed Borylative C–H Functionalization of Arenes

Significance: A nickel-catalyzed silyl-directed ortho-C(sp)-H borylation of substituted arenes is reported.The reaction utilizes readily accessible reagents, and the products contain both a hydrosilane and a boronate moiety, allowing for further functionalization.Comment: The methodology can be applied to a range of arenes, including drug-relevant substrates.Experimental and computational studies support a two-electron pathway, involving the generation of a reactive Ni(II)-Bpin-ate intermediate (I).Oxidative addition of B 2 pin 2 forms the six-membered nickel species IV.